Our Team

Meet some of the people behind our nature tours and eco holiday experiences.

This is the team who lead our tours and wildlife conservation projects around Australia. Getting outdoors, helping wildlife conservation efforts, travelling to unique and wild locations, sharing their knowledge and passion for the great outdoors, and meeting new people, are just some of the reasons our team enjoy their work with us.

Travis Scicchitano

“There is something incredibly rewarding about passing on what you are trying to achieve to get people interested and passionate about wildlife conservation.”

Travis, the Bandicoot Whisperer, is our wildlife conservation champion at Woodlands Reserve in Victoria and responsible for helping to bring these fragile little bandicoots back from extinction. He has worked in conservation for over 20 years and never gets tired of showing people the magnificent work that is being achieved through environmental and wildlife conservation.
His three loves are his family, cooking Italian pasta, and bringing wildlife back from extinction.

Anne O Dea

“I love doing interesting work in interesting places. The trips we lead well and truly tick those boxes.”

A love of the outdoors motivated Anne to pursue a career in natural resource management. With over 25 years in natural and cultural resource management in Australia and overseas, Anne is a wealth of knowledge. Her extensive experience includes running research and monitoring programs, volunteer engagement, education, interpretation, and training. Anne has many amazing stories to share having spent time working in National Parks including Fraser Island in Queensland, the jointly managed Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, and more recently in Papua New Guinea. She also featured in the ABC television series “Kakadu”.

Steve Winderlich

“Experiences are about sharing stories which build awareness and appreciation for indigenous culture, nature and conservation.”

Steve’s passion for culture and the environment began in his childhood home – the Siassi Islands in Papua New Guinea. Today his career in National Parks spans across 30 years and includes a Master of Philosophy focusing on the role of volunteers, a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Zoology and Aboriginal studies. Steve’s down to earth personality, wealth of experience and extensive global travel to national parks and conservation programs provides rewarding, informative, and unique experiences for our guests.

Emily Zhang

“There is something about nature that brings everyone together. It’s inspiring when you see people engaging in nature, learning and having fun.”

Emily is a passionate nature enthusiast and one of our young conservation leaders. A lady of many talents, Emily has a degree in Environmental Management and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and speaks fluent English and Chinese Mandarin. She also completed a six-month Green Army youth environmental training program with Conservation Volunteers at Brookfield Conservation Park in South Australia. Emily loves creating maps and analysing data, getting hands-on in conservation, sleeping under the stars, travelling, spending time in nature and sharing her passion for this planet and conservation with people. Her dream job is leading our youth tours. Emily is also the friendly voice behind our administration and bookings office.

Alan Klein

“I’m inspired by nature, adventure and conservation”

Alan is a lifelong journeyman, ex army, travelled to over 40 foreign lands and the width and breadth of Australia. Passions include hiking, kayaking, exploration and wildlife interactions.

Uncle Ron Marks

“Connecting guests through authentic Wotjokaluk Aboriginal experiences builds understanding and appreciation for the local culture, nature and wildlife.”

Wergaia man Uncle Ron Marks is the Manager of Wotjobaluk Cultural Experiencesat Little Desert Nature Lodge. Operating in Nhill, Western Victoria he uses his background in education to guide Wotjobaluk experiences for visitors to this fascinating and unique region. As an elder he is considered a pillar of the community and has always found ways to give back by involving himself with youth education. One of the four faces featured on the oversized mural at the disused Sheep Hill grain silos Uncle Ron Marks himself, Aunty Regina Hood and 2 younger members of the Barengi Gadjin community, represent the passing of knowledge and history from Elders to the next generation.

What makes us different

We are a not-for-profit tour operator owned by Conservation Volunteers Australia. By choosing to travel with us you can take an active part in conserving our unique wildlife, national parks and conservation reserves.